Collapsible eye wear featuring face contacting pads

ABSTRACT

An eye wear assembly  10  is provided which includes a film-like, resilient collapsible lens  20  that wraps about the eyes of the wearer W from temple T to temple T. The lens  20  is partially held in place by its left and right wings  30  which include respective left and right temple pads  40 . The lens  20  is offset from the face of the wearer W by horizontal pads  60  which increase the wearer&#39;s W comfort and provide circulation via two primary vents  70  to allow perspiration to dissipate from the enclosure created between the lens  20  and the wearer&#39;s W face. A nose cutout region  90 , conforming to the general shape of a typical user&#39;s nose N, is provided at the midpoint of the lens  20  at its bottom edge  28 . A nose saddle  100 , made of soft, resilient foam or rubber-type material, is attached adjacent the nose cutout region  90  on the rear concave surface  24  of the lens  20 . The nose saddle  100  conforms to the shape of the nose N of the wearer W. A retention band  200  extends from the left and right edges  32  of the left and right wings  30  to provide a secure means for retaining the lens  20  on the face of the wearer W. A cylindrical container  300  provided for stowage of the eye wear assembly  10  in a rolled-up orientation is also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of Patent Cooperation TreatyInternational Application No. PCT/US99/17837, filed on Aug. 6, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to eye wear. More particularly, thisinvention relates to lightweight flexible, collapsible, portable eyewear with strategically located pads to prevent the edges of the lens ofthe eye wear from pinching the wearer's face, while still allowing theeye wear assembly to be easily collapsed to fit within a small portablecontainer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eye wear is available in a myriad of designs and configurations. Giventhe continued development of new plastics, the trend has been toward eyewear designs which are extremely lightweight, yet still robust.

One type of lightweight eye wear is used specifically for protecting theeyes of wearers after ophthalmic surgery or other types of eyetreatment. These types of eye protectors are commonly known aspost-mydriatic sunglasses and are designed to completely wrap around thewearer's eyes. In some cases, the wearer's eyes may be very sensitive tolight due to previous pupil dilation which has not yet subsided,requiring a tinted lens. In other circumstances, e.g., cataract surgery,the eye protector needs to completely envelop the patient's eyes toensure any potentially damaging dust or other particles are not blowninto the eyes. Post-mydriatic sunglasses are also intended to prevent apatient from inadvertently rubbing the eyes, which could provedisastrous given recent delicate surgery.

Rollens Professional Products, Inc. of Denver, Colo., produces a versionof post-mydriatic sunglasses which consists of a single collapsiblefilm-like lens. In their natural relaxed state, the Rollens sunglassestend to close into a spiral. The Rollens post-mydriatic sunglasses aredesigned only for use by eye patients with an immediate and reasonablyshort-lived need.

The Rollens lens is held in place on the wearer's face by its naturaltendency to collapse to its relaxed spiral state. Clamping or grippingforces are created when the lens is unwound and placed on the face of awearer. The tension forces cause the edges of the Rollens lens tofrictionally engage the wearer's temples.

The benefits of the Rollens configuration include portability, abilityto fit any size face, low cost, and the provision of a wrap-aroundconfiguration. However, the Rollens lens is known to be somewhatuncomfortable. The edges of the lens, which secure the lens to thewearer's face, tend to pinch the wearer at the temples. In addition, theplacement of the non-breathable plastic lens against the wearer's skininduces perspiration. The perspiration is irritating to the wearer, and,causes the lens to more easily slip off the wearer's face by reducingthe friction between the inside surface of the lens and the wearer'sskin.

Accordingly, a need exists for a simple and inexpensive wraparound eyewear that is lightweight, collapsible and comfortable, providing abreathable enclosure to minimize perspiration and resulting wearerirritation while concurrently enhancing retention on the face of thewearer during dynamic activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is lightweight, collapsible and comfortable eyewear. The eye wear includes a flexible film-like lens whose naturalrelaxed state is a somewhat rolled-up configuration. To place theapparatus on the face of a wearer, the lens is unrolled from its naturalrelaxed state to wraparound the wearer's eyes from temple to temple.Once unrolled and placed in position across the wearer's eyes, a returnforce is created by the natural desire of the resilient film-likematerial to equalize forces of stress by returning to its naturalunstressed relaxed state. The lens return force creates a clamping forceat each edge of the lens to partially retain the lens on the face of thewearer. The eye wear assembly also includes an adjustable, elasticretention band to augment the clamping forces and snugly retain the eyewear in its proper position on the face of the wearer.

Several foam-like pads extend from the inside concave surface of thelens to rest against the wearer's face and provide a means ofcushioning. These pads are distributed about the edges of the lens in amanner that creates gaps/vents which allow air to naturally circulatebetween the lens and the face of the wearer. The enhanced breathabilityminimizes perspiration, reduces lens fogging and increases overallcomfort while in use. The foam pads are soft, resilient and sufficientlycompressible to allow the lens to be rolled-up to fit within a smallcylindrical storage container.

To use the present invention, the eye wear assembly is first removedfrom its small cylindrical container. The lens is then unwrapped so thatit may be placed over the eyes of the intended wearer, with its padsadjacent the wearer's face. The lens is initially at least partiallyheld in place by the clamping force generated by the stretching of thelens during unwrapping, causing the left and right wings to pressagainst and frictionally engage the temples of the wearer. Once the lensis in place on the wearer's face, the elastic retention band may then bestretched to wrap about the rear of the wearer's head, increasing theassurance that the lens will be snugly secured.

Temple pads are attached to the rear concave surface of the wings of thelens to spread the wing clamping force across a greater area of thewearer's temples, thereby reducing the pressure on the wearer's templesand minimizing wearer discomfort. The temple pads also set the lens offfrom the face of the wearer to enhance air circulation between the faceof the wearer and the lens.

Hence, the present invention provides wraparound eye wear which may besnugly secured on the face of the user while providing an increasedlevel of comfort. In addition, the present invention provides a meansfor quickly and easily storing the entire assembly in a small container,such as a container approximately the same size as that which normallycontains a roll of 35 mm film.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide aneye wear assembly that includes strategically placed pads to enhancecomfort while being worn, yet still allows the assembly to be collapsedfor storage in a small cylindrical container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye wearassembly that includes a retention band to enhance retention of theassembly on the face of the wearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye wearassembly that includes strategically placed pads which set the lens ofthe assembly off from the face of the wearer to increase cooling aircirculation and minimize lens fogging during use.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye wearassembly that includes strategically placed pads on the film-like lenswhich prevent the lens from resting directly on the skin of the wearer,thereby minimizing induced perspiration and increasing comfort for thewearer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye wearassembly with a resilient lens whose relaxed state is in a closed spiralor circular configuration such that, when installed, the lens is atleast partially held in place by clamping forces created when the lensis unwrapped to form an open crescent shape to extend across the eyes ofthe wearer from temple to temple.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye wearassembly with a resilient lens that does not pinch the wearer's facewhen installed, providing a more comfortable wearing experience.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye wearassembly with a resilient lens that includes offsetting and comfortenhancing resilient foam pads, along with a retention band, but canstill be rolled to fit within a cylindrical container approximately thesize of a typical plastic container used for storing individual rolls of35 millimeter film.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an eye wearassembly of simple and reliable manufacture from commonly availablematerials.

Other further objects of the present invention will become apparent forma careful reading of the included drawing figures, the claims anddetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the eye wear assembly of thepresent invention in place on the head of a user.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention whenunrolled to an unnatural worn state.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the present invention when unrolledto an unnatural worn state.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the present invention, depicting the lensin its unnatural worn state with a phantom view of the lens movingtoward its natural relaxed state superimposed therein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention in a rolledconfiguration for storage in the illustrated cylindrical container.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lens and pad assembly of a mostpreferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of that which is shown in FIG. 6 and witha cord of this embodiment attached thereto.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of that which is shown in FIG. 6 butwith the lens rolled out flat.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG. 6 alongwith a cord and in position on a head of a user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals representlike parts throughout the various drawing figures, reference numeral 10is directed to a collapsible eye wear assembly. The eye wear assembly 10includes a resilient, flexible lens 20 which may be easily rolled upabout its vertical axis to be stored in a cylindrical container 300 ofthe type used to store a roll of 35 millimeter camera film. Theinclusion of strategically-located pads 60 and a retention band 200increases the comfort during use of the present invention and extendsthe range of use of this type of lens 20 for more dynamic athleticactivity.

In essence, and with particular reference to FIG. 2, the basic detailsof the eye wear assembly 10 are described. The assembly 10 includes aflexible resilient film-like, collapsible lens 20 that may be unrolledand extended to wrap about the eyes of the wearer W from temple T totemple T. The lens 20 is at least partially transparent. The lens 20 ispartially held in place by closure forces generated within its left andright wings 30, causing respective left and right temple pads 40 tofrictionally engage the wearer's W temples T. The lens 20 is offset fromthe wearer's W forehead by horizontal pads 60 which increase thewearer's W comfort. Two primary vents 70 provide circulation to allowperspiration to dissipate from a space between the lens 20 and thewearer's W face.

A nose cutout region 90, generally conforming to the cross-sectionalshape of a typical wearer's W nose, is provided at the midpoint of thelens 20 at its bottom edge 28. A nose saddle 100, made of soft,resilient foam or rubber-type material, is attached adjacent the nosecutout region 90 on the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20. The nosesaddle 100 conforms to the shape and contour of the nose N of the wearerW. A retention band 200 extends from the left and right edges 32 of theleft and right wings 30 to wrap about the rear of the wearer's W head Hand provide a secure means for retaining the lens 20 on the face of awearer W. A cylindrical container 300 is provided for stowage of the eyewear assembly 10 in a rolled-up orientation.

More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 2-5, detailsof the lens 20 are provided. The lens includes a front convex surface 22opposite a rear concave surface 24. The lens 20 is preferably made of afilm-like resilient hydrocarbon polymeric material that can berepeatedly rolled and unrolled about its vertical axis without exceedingthe elastic limit of the material from which the lens 20 is formed. Thelens 20 material preferably has sufficient fatigue resistance to allowrepeated cycling of the lens 20 between a stressed installed position toa tighter rolled-up storage orientation for a reasonable duration of usewithout tearing or cracking.

The lens 20 is at least partially transparent and may be tinted oruntinted, depending on its intended use. For example, if used aspost-mydriatic sunglasses, the lens 20 would be tinted to preventdiscomfort caused by an ophthalmic patient's increased sensitivity tolight. Alternatively, a cyclist might wish to use the eye wear assembly10 to simply protect his or her eyes from the drying effects of the windand the bugs or other irritating particles which are frequentlyencountered while cycling. In this circumstance, the lens 20 may remainuntinted to maximize clarity of vision. Additionally, the lens 20 couldalso be made from resilient material which automatically changes thedegree of tinting in proportion to the level of ambient light.

When unrolled from a relaxed state (FIG. 4, phantom view) and stretchedto a slightly crescent-shaped orientation (FIGS. 2-4), the curvedprofile of the lens 20 is adapted to conform to the facial profile of awearer W. In an installed position on a person's head H (FIG. 1), therear concave surface 24 (FIG. 3) of the lens 20 is oriented closest tothe person's face. The lens 20 has a generally horizontal top edge 26(FIG. 3) which, in an installed position, is generally aligned with andadjacent to the wearer's W forehead and brow. The top edge 26 extendsbetween left and right edges 32 of the lens 20, defining the uppermostportion of the lens 20. The lens 20 has an opposing bottom edge 28 (FIG.3) which, in an installed position, is disposed adjacent that portion ofthe wearer's W face below the eyes and across the cheekbones and nose N.The bottom edge 28 extends between the left and right edges 32 of thelens 20, defining the lowermost portion of the lens 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lens 20 wraps around the face of the wearer Wfrom temple T to temple T. The lens 20 includes left and right wings 30(FIGS. 2-4) which, in an installed position, are disposed immediatelyadjacent the left and right temples T of the wearer W, respectively. Theleft and right wings 30 include corresponding left and right curvededges 32 at their furthest ends. In the prior art, these edges 32provided the sole means for retaining the lens 20 on the face of thewearer W by pressing into the temples T slightly behind the wearer's Weyes.

In the present invention, frictional engagement at the wearer's Wtemples T is provided by separate left and right temple pads 40. Thetemple pads 40 are preferably adhesively attached to the rear concavesurface 24 of the lens 20 adjacent the left and right edges 32 of theleft and right wings 30. The temple pads 40 are somewhat crescent-shapedand preferably made of soft foam rubber-like resilient material thatcushions and spreads the clamping force (as shown by Arrow A in FIG. 4)to minimize any discomfort to the wearer W which would normally becaused by the impingement of the sharp edges 32 of the wings 30 upon theskin of the temples T of the wearer W. The temple pads 40 are shaped toconform to the curved profile of the edges 32 of the wings 30. Thetemple pads 40 have upper ends 42 which are disposed closest to, butpreferably not past, the top edge 26 of the lens 20. Lower ends 43 aredisposed closest to, but preferably not past, the bottom edge 28 of thelens 20. The temple pads 40 each extend from a forward portion 44 to arear portion 45. The rear portion 45 conforms to the shape of the edge32 of the wing 30, extending from the lower end 43 to the upper end 42of the temple pad 40.

The temple pads 40 include gripping faces 46 (FIG. 3) furthest away fromthe rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20. The gripping faces 46 restagainst and frictionally engage the wearer's W temples T when the lens20 is installed. The temple pads 40 also include a lens face 47 whichprovides a surface to adhesively secure the temple pad 40 to the rearconcave surface 24 of the lens 20. The temple pads 40 have sufficientthickness and resiliency to maintain a slight separation between therear concave surface 24 of the lens 20 and the wearer's W face.

The temple pads 40 serve multiple purposes including the following.First, the gripping faces 46 of the temple pads 40 increases the area ofthe wearer's W temple T to which the clamping force A (FIG. 4) isapplied, thereby decreasing the pressure directly applied at any pointto the wearer's W temples T and eliminating the irritating uncomfortablepinching encountered in the prior art. Second, the gripping faces 46preferably have minimally roughened surfaces which increase thefrictional engagement between the temple pad 40 and the wearer's Wtemples T, enhancing lens 20 retention. In the prior art, the lens 20would tend to slip off the wearer's W temples T if the clamping force Awas insufficient, particularly where the static friction between theedges 32 of the lens 20 and the wearer's W temples T was reduced by thelubricating effect of the wearer's W own perspiration on the plasticfilm-like surface of the lens 20. Third, the temple pads 40 set thewings 30 of the lens 20 off slightly from the skin of the wearer's Wtemples T. This allows the wearer's W skin to breathe and remain cool,thereby minimizing induced perspiration which would reduce the staticfriction between the gripping face 46 of the temple pads 40 and the skinof the wearer's W temple T. Fourth, the temple pads 40 provide a meansto absorb induced perspiration, thereby minimizing the lubricatingeffect. Fifth, as perspiration is absorbed by the temple pad 40, itsubsequently evaporates to create a cooling wicking effect, lowering thetemperature of the pad 40, and reducing the tendency for further inducedperspiration.

Elongate left and right horizontal pads 60, along with an elongatecenter pad 62, are adhesively secured along the top edge 26 of the lens20. The pads 60, 62 are preferably rectangular box-like in shape andmade from soft resilient foam-like material. Each pad 60, 62 has arectangular top side 64 which is preferably aligned with, but does notextend beyond, the top edge 26 of the lens 20. The top side 64 extendsperpendicularly from the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20. Thepads 60, 62 also include an opposing bottom side 65 which extendsperpendicularly from the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20 in aplane preferably parallel to the top side 64. The pads 60, 62 have ananterior face 66 (FIG. 2) which provides a surface to adhesively attachthe pads 60, 62 to the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20 along thetop edge 26. The pads 60, 62 also include an opposing parallel posteriorface which lies immediately adjacent the brow and forehead of the wearerW when the eye wear 10 is in use. The horizontal pads 60 and the centerpad 62 serve functions similar to the temple pads 40 discussed above,including creating an offset of the lens from the wearer's W face,absorbing perspiration, increasing static friction to enhance retention,and increasing circulation about the lens and the wearer's W face tocreate a cooling effect.

The pads 60, 62 are preferably distributed immediately along the topedge 26 of the lens 20 in a manner that creates at least two separatevents 70. The left horizontal pad 60 is disposed closest the left wing30; the right horizontal pad 60 is disposed closest the right wing 30;the center pad 62 is disposed between, but not touching, the left andright horizontal pads 60.

The vents 70 provide an additional means to allow air to easilycirculate between the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20 and theface of the wearer W. The vents 70 allow moisture vapor created by theperspiration of the wearer W to escape from the space between the lens20 and the face of the wearer W during use. The size of the vents 70 maybe adjusted to increase air circulation by either shortening the pads60, 62 or increasing the amount of separation between the pads 60, 62.The vents 70 are provided along the top edge 26 of the lens 20 to allowwarmer, moist air behind the lens to escape in a vertical direction as aresult of the natural convection tendency for warmer air to rise due toits decreased density. The air within the enclosure is heated by lightimpinging on the lens and/or body heat radiating from the wearer's Wface. Although only three pads 60, 62 and two vents 70 are shown in thedrawings, the size of each pad 60, 62 could be decreased while thenumber of pads 60, 62 could be increased, thereby increasing the numberof vents 70 to potentially further enhance circulation.

The vents 70 also allow the lens 20 to be more easily rolled-up byproviding gaps between the pads 60, 62. Unlike the lens 20, whosenatural tendency is to close in a spiral, the pads 60, 62 couldtypically be biased toward a flat, planar state. Hence, when the pads60, 62 are attached to the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20, thepads 60, 62 tend to cause the lens 20 to unspiral. If the pads 60, 62were continuous with no vents 70, as the lens 20 was rolled into aspiral, the pads 60, 62 would generate an opposing unwrapping force thatwould make it much more difficult for the user to roll-up the lens 20 tofit within the cylindrical container 300. As the thickness of the pads60, 62 increase, the unwrapping force would also increaseproportionally. Hence, one would likely have to minimize the thicknessof the pads 60, 62 to facilitate ability to roll-up the lens 20 to fitwithin the container 300.

In addition, if continuous without any vents 70, the pads 60, 62 wouldtend to crease at various points along their posterior face 67 as thelens 20 was rolled-up. The vents 70 provide discontinuities in the pads60, 62 that provide sufficient space to act as a means of stress relief,thereby reducing the tendency for the pads 60, 62 to crease.Additionally, the vents 70 provide actual physical space to allow thelens 20 to be rolled-up without causing adjacent pads 60, 62 to fold inon each other, thereby reducing the unwrapping force and easing one'sability to roll-up the lens 20 to fit within the cylindrical container300.

Consequently, inclusion of the vents 70 allows the thickness of the pads60, 62 to be increased sufficiently to provide adequate cushioning onthe wearer's W face. In addition, increased pad 60, 62 thicknessincreases offset of the lens 20 from the wearer's W face, therebyincreasing cross-sectional area of the vents to enhance air circulationabout the lens 20.

A nose cut-out region 90 is located in the lower portion of the lens 20at the approximate mid-point of the bottom edge 28. The nose cut-outregion 90 is shaped to receive and generally conform to the typicalwearer's W cross-sectional nose N profile. The nose cut-out region 90has a crest 92 formed at the convergence of a left and right side 94.The crest 92 corresponds to the ridge R of the wearer's W nose N. Thesides 94 correspond to the contour of the wearer's W nose N along itssides adjacent the nostrils.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the details of a nose saddle 100 ofthe present invention are described. The separate nose saddle 100 ispreferably adhesively attached along a mounting face 150 to the rearconcave surface 24 of the lens 20 to follow the contour along the edgesof the nose cut-out region 90. The nose saddle 100 may be attached tothe lens 20 by other means. Velcro strips may be adhesively attached tothe rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20 along the sides 94 of thenose cut-out region 90 which correspond to mating velcro stripsadhesively attached to the mounting face 150 of the nose saddle 100.This means of attachment would allow the nose saddle 100 to be changedto accommodate varying nose N profiles of different wearers W.

Additionally, the nose saddle 100 may include a resilient groove moldedwithin the upper surface 140 and mounting face 150 of the nose saddle100. The resilient groove would have a gap thickness that is slightlyless than the lens 20 thickness along the nose cut-out region 90. Thenose saddle 100 could then frictionally engage the front convex surface22 and the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20. This means ofattachment would also allow the nose saddle 100 to be changed toaccommodate varying nose N profiles of different wearers W.

Similarly, the nose saddle 100 could be mounted on a separatecollapsible frame which includes protrusions which can be pressed intocorresponding holes distributed along the crest 92 and sides 94 of thenose cut-out region 90 of the lens 20. Again, the means of attachmentwould allow the wearer W to easily change the nose saddle 100.

The nose saddle 100 is preferably made of the same soft resilient, foamrubber material as the pads 40, 60, 62. The saddle 100 includes an apex110 which corresponds to the crest 92 of the nose cut-out region 90. Aleft and right leg 120 of the saddle 100 corresponds to the left andright sides 94 of the nose cut-out region 90. The legs 120 have tips 122at their lowest end closest to the bottom edge 28 of the lens 20. Thesaddle 100 extends away from the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20to form a lower surface 130 which, in an installed position, is locatedagainst the skin of the nose N of the wearer W. The nose saddle 100 alsoincludes the mounting face 150 which provides a surface to adhesivelyattach the saddle 100 to the rear concave surface 24 of the lens 20. Themounting face 150 of the saddle 100 extends sufficiently beyond thebottom edge 28 of the lens 20 along the nose cut-out region 90 to ensurethat the bottom edge 28 of the lens 20 does not come into contact withthe wearer's W nose N.

As with the temple pads 40, the saddle 100 provides another means toimprove retention of the lens 20 on the wearer's W face whilesimultaneously increasing the wearer's W comfort. In the prior art, thebottom edge 28 of the nose cut-out region 90 tended to slip down anduncomfortably impinge along the bottom edge 28 of the lens 20 on thewearer's W nose N. By incorporating the nose saddle 100 of the presentinvention, the bottom edge 28 of the lens 20 is prevented from pressinginto the wearer's W nose N or upper cheek bone area. Any downward forcecaused by the weight of the lens 20 is cushioned by the nose saddle 100and spread across the area of the lower surface 130 of the nose saddle100. As with the other pads 40, 60, 62, the nose saddle 100 increasesair circulation, absorbs perspiration, and has inherent wicking effect,all of which increase the wearer's W comfort during use.

With particular reference to FIG. 1, the details of a retention band 200of the present invention are described. The flexible retention band 200is interposed between the wings 30 of the lens 20 to provide anadditional means to snugly secure the lens 20 on the wearer's W face.The band 200 includes separate left and right elongate tubularconnectors 210 which extend rearward from the edges 32 of the wings 30.The connectors 210 are attached to the lens 20 at their fixed ends 212and extend to terminate at movable distal ends 214. The connectors 210are preferably made from a resilient hydrocarbon polymeric material withsufficient rigidity to cause the connectors 210 to extend laterallyrearward from the wing 30 of the lens 20, yet sufficiently flexible toallow the connectors 210 to bend in a manner comporting with thecollapsed, rolled-up orientation of the lens 20, thereby allowing theentire eye wear assembly 10 to be stored in the small portablecylindrical container 300.

An elongate elastic strap 220 is connected to the distal ends 214 of theconnectors 210. The elastic strap 220 preferably has a length that isless than that necessary to travel around the wearer's W head H when notstretched, but sufficient to allow the strap 220 to be stretchedsufficiently to be passed around the wearer's W head H without exceedingthe elastic limit of the strap 220. An adjusting clip 230 encloses theelastic strap 220 at its midpoint to provide a means for furthershortening the elastic strap 220 to increase the tension within thestrap 220 ensuring a snug fit on the face of the wearer W.

With particular reference to FIG. 5, the details of the cylindricalstorage container 300 to be used for housing the eye wear assembly 10 ina rolled-up orientation are described. The eye wear assembly 10 and lens20 are designed to allow storage within the small cylindrical container300. The container 300 is preferably made from a lightweight,inexpensive hydrocarbon polymer material. The cylindrical container 300includes a circular floor 302 from which extends a cylindrical side wall304, to form the can or receiver portion of the container 300. At anopen end 303, the container 300 includes a rim 306 circumferentiallydisposed along the upper edge of the side wall 304 to provide a meansfor securing a cap 310 to the top of the container 300.

In use and operation, the eye wear assembly 10 is first removed from thecylindrical storage container 300. The lens 20 will naturally unrollfrom its compressed storage state (FIG. 5) to its natural relaxed state(approximated by FIG. 4, phantom view in broken lines). The wearer Wthen grasps the lens 20 at each wing 30 and further unrolls the lens 20from the relaxed state until the wings 30 are sufficiently spread toallow the lens 20 to be placed on the wearer's W face, with the nosesaddle 100 seated upon the bridge of the wearer's W nose N and thetemple pads 40 resting against the wearer's W temples T (FIG. 1).

As the lens 20 is set in place on the wearer's W face, the elastic strap220 of the retention band 200 is simultaneously stretched and positionedover the back of the wearer's W head H to seat the lens comfortably onthe wearer's W face and provide an added level of retention. Theretention band 200 can be tightened, if desired by the wearer W, bypulling the elastic strap 220 through the adjusting clip 230, therebyshortening the strap 220. The eye wear assembly 10 is then positioned onthe wearer's W face in the manner shown in FIG. 1.

The eye wear 10 is removed by simply reversing the above procedure. Thelens 20 will then return to its relaxed state (FIG. 4, phantom view),from which the lens 20 is rolled-up with the retention band 200 (FIG. 5)and inserted into the container 300.

FIGS. 6-13 show details of a most preferred eye wear assembly 410. Thismost preferred eye wear assembly 410 is similar to the assembly 10described in detail above except where specifically identified below.Hence, the preferred eye wear assembly 410 includes a single lens 420shaped to cover both eyes of a wearer. Holes 430 are provided adjacenteach side edge of the lens 420. These holes 430 are sized at least aslarge as a diameter of a cord 470 (FIGS. 10, 11 and 13). Hence, the cord470 can pass through the hole 430. Side pads 440 are located adjacentthe side edges of the lens 420. The side pads 440 are on an insidesurface of the lens 420 and preferably substantially entirely cover theinside surface of the lens 420 adjacent the side edges of the lens 420.The side pads 440 thus extend further in height from top and bottomedges of the lens 420 than do other pads such as the bridge pad 460(FIGS. 6, 7, 9 and 12) and three or more brow pads extending along a topedge of the inside surface of the lens 420.

Each side pad 440 preferably includes a recess 442 adjacent the hole430. This recess 442 is larger than the hole 430 so that the cord canpass both through the hole 430 and the recess 442. Because the recess 42is larger than the hole 430, a knot or other appendage on the cord 470which is larger than a diameter of the cord 470 can reside within therecess 442. This cord appendage thus keeps the end of the cord 470 frompassing through the hole 430 sufficiently to take the cord 470 out ofthe hole 430. The recess 442 also provides a location for the cordappendage so that when the preferred eye wear assembly 410 is worn, thecord appendage does not impact the wearer's temple. Rather, the sidepads 440 surrounding the recess 442 impact the wearer's temple and thecord appendage or knot remains within the recess 442.

The assembly 410 additionally includes a nose cut-out 450 similar tothat of the assembly 10 described in detail above. A bridge pad 460 islocated adjacent the nose cut-out 450. The bridge pad 460 of thispreferred eye wear assembly 410 has a height above a bottom edge of thelens 420 similar to a height of other pads adjacent the top edge of thelens and is formed from a similar material as all the other pads, suchas the side pads 440.

The cord 470 preferably is an elastic cord with ends adjacent the holes430 and a midpoint of the cord 470 including an adjusting clip 480thereon. As an alternative, the cord 470 can have one or both endsattached to the lens or pads through fasteners, adhesive or otherconnectors than the hole 430. The adjusting clip 480 allows an effectivelength of the cord 470 between ends of the cord 470 to be increased ordecreased. The adjusting clip 480 can be in the form of a spring biasedclamp which can pinch portions of the cord 470 passing through theadjusting clip 480 when left in a resting position, but which releasesthe cord when a button on the adjusting clip 480 is depressed, so thatthe cord can be fed into and out of the adjusting clip 480 freely whenthis button is depressed. Other forms of adjusting clips 480 couldsimilarly be used which rely on friction or other cord engagementstructures.

The preferred eye wear assembly 410, like the assembly 10 describedabove, does not require that the lens 420 be sufficiently biased towardsa rolled-up position that it can hold itself over the wearer's eyesmerely with clamping force of the lens 420 attempting to return to itsrolled-up configuration. Rather, the eye wear assemblies 10, 410 can beunbiased or only slightly biased towards a rolled-up or non-rolled-upconfiguration. With such an arrangement the function of the cord 470 isenhanced. Specifically, the cord 470 is preferably elastic and providessufficient rearward forces on the lens 420 of the eye wear assembly 410to cause the eye wear assembly 410 to engage the face of the wearer overthe eyes of the wearer. This tension can be increased or decreased byadjusting a position of the adjusting clip 480 upon the cord 470. Theeye wear assembly 410 is still sufficiently flexible that it can berolled-up into a cylinder for containment within a small cylindricalcontainer (FIG. 5).

This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodiment of theinvention and a best mode for practicing the invention. Having thusdescribed the invention in this way, it should be apparent that variousdifferent modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment withoutdeparting from the scope and fair meaning of this disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for protection of eyes of a humanwearer, comprising in combination: a lens including a left edge defininga left side of said lens and a right edge defining a right side of saidlens; said lens having sufficient width between said left edge and saidright edge to cover both eyes of the wearer; said lens formed of atleast partially transparent material; said lens being sufficientlyflexible about a vertical axis to be orientable in both a plane and in arolled-up orientation exhibiting at least partial overlap, withoutexceeding an elastic limit of said material forming said lens; and atleast one pad adjacent said left edge of said lens and at least one padadjacent said right edge of said lens, said left pad and said right padin positions where said pads abut temples of the wearer when said lensis worn.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pad adjacent said leftedge is spaced from said pad adjacent said right edge by at least onegap.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 said apparatus includes at least threepads including said pad adjacent said left edge, said pad adjacent saidright edge and a center pad between said pad adjacent said left edge andsaid pad adjacent said right edge, each said pad spaced from adjacentsaid pads by at least one gap, such that said center pad does not touchsaid pad adjacent said left edge and said center pad does not touch saidpad adjacent said right edge.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein saidlens includes at least five pads thereon, each said pad spaced fromadjacent said pads by a gap, such that none of said at least five padstouch each other, said gaps extending substantially vertically betweenadjacent said pads.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pads eachhave a uniform thickness extending away from said lens and each of saidat least five pads are located adjacent a top edge of said lens.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said at least five pads has auniform height extending down from said top edge of said lens for atleast a portion of each of said pads.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1wherein each said pad is formed from a common material having a similarflexibility, and wherein said lens includes a nose cutout and a saddleadjacent said bottom edge of said lens at said nose cutout, said saddleformed from a material similar to a material forming said pads.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein said saddle has a thickness and a heightabove said bottom edge similar to a thickness and a height below saidtop edge of pads of said apparatus located adjacent said top edge. 9.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one pad adjacent saidleft edge and said at least one pad adjacent said right edge extendfurther from edges of said lens than at least one pad that is spacedfrom said left edge and said right edge of said lens and adjacent saidtop edge of said lens.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said padadjacent said left edge and said pad adjacent said right edge include arecess therein, said lens including at least one hole passingtherethrough at said recess in said pad, said recess being larger thansaid hole, such that a cord can pass through said hole and through saidrecess in each said pad adjacent said left edge and said right edge. 11.The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cord is elastic and includes acord appendage at each end of said cord, said cord appendage having asize larger than said hole in said lens and smaller than said recess,such that said appendage can abut against said lens within said recessin said pad adjacent said left edge and said pad adjacent said rightedge, with said appendage keeping said cord from coming out of saidhole.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said cord is lengthadjustable at an adjusting clip between ends of said cord.
 13. A methodfor storing eyeglasses when not in use, the eyeglasses having a lensincluding a left edge defining a left side of the lens and a right edgedefining a right side of the lens, the lens having sufficient widthbetween the left edge and the right edge to cover both eyes of thewearer, the lens formed of at least partially transparent material, thelens being sufficiently flexible about a vertical axis to be orientablein both a plane and in a rolled-up orientation exhibiting at leastpartial overlap, without exceeding an elastic limit of the materialforming the lens, at least one pad adjacent the left edge and at leastone pad adjacent the right edge; the steps including: rolling the lensup into a spiral orientation with the edges overlapping; providing acylindrical container having a diameter similar to a diameter of thelens when the lens is in its rolled-up orientation, the containerdiameter sized smaller than both a horizontal length and a verticalheight of the lens when the lens is deployed for wearing; and placingthe lens into the container.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein thecylindrical container includes a cap, the cap including means to attachto the cylindrical container.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein thelens is rolled-up into a tighter spiral than is achieved by the relaxedorientation for the lens such that the lens curves at least 720° betweenthe left edge and the right edge of the lens.
 16. The method of claim 13including the further steps of configuring the lens to includehorizontal pads adjacent a top edge extending between the left edge andthe right edge with vents defining gaps between portions of thehorizontal pads, the vents allowing the lens to be more tightlyrolled-up than would be possible without the vents.
 17. An apparatus forprotection of eyes of a human wearer, comprising in combination: a lensincluding a left edge defining a left side of said lens and a right edgedefining a right side of said lens; said lens having sufficient widthbetween said left edge and said right edge to cover both eyes of thewearer; said lens formed of at least partially transparent material;said lens being sufficiently flexible about a vertical axis to beorientable in both a plane and in a rolled-up orientation exhibiting atleast partial overlap, without exceeding an elastic limit of saidmaterial forming said lens; at least one pad adjacent said left edge ofsaid lens and at least one pad adjacent said right edge of said lens,said left pad and said right pad in positions where said pads abuttemples of the wearer when said lens is worn; and said lens including atleast one hole adjacent at least one of said pads.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein at least one of said pads includes a recess therein,said recess adjacent said hole.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 whereinsaid recess in said pad is larger than a size of said hole; and a cardpassing through said hole, said card having an appendage thereon whichis larger than said hole and smaller than said recess.
 20. The apparatusof claim 19 wherein said appendage is a knot in said cord.